About Sara

My first child is due Feb. 8th 2012. As I wait with anticipation for my breastfeeding adventure to begin, I feel so lucky to be able to be a part of the breastfeeding blog world. For more about me read the About Us section of the blog! This blog is intended to be a place of inspiration and information. It is a place to share stories and ideas. I love hearing from you!
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World Breastfeeding Week : Saving babies’ lives

It is now World Breastfeeding Week ! It started on August 1rst and it is on until the 7th. This year’s theme is breastfeeding as a vital emergency response. Watch this UNICEF video about how breastfeeding is really far superior to formula when comes an emergency (especially when finding clean water becomes a challenge):

Breastfeeding: A Vital Emergency Response Are you ready?

OBJECTIVES OF WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK 2009

  • To draw attention to the vital role that breastfeeding plays in emergencies worldwide.
  • To stress the need for active protection and support of breastfeeding before and during emergencies. 
  • To inform mothers, breastfeeding advocates, communities, health professionals, governments, aid agencies, donors, and the media on how they can actively support breastfeeding before and during an emergency. 
  • To mobilise action and nurture networking and collaboration between those with breastfeeding skills and those involved in emergency response.

RATIONALE

  • Children are the most vulnerable in emergencies – child mortality can soar from 2 to 70 times higher than average due to diarrhoea, respiratory illness and malnutrition.
  • Breastfeeding is a life saving intervention and protection is greatest for the youngest infants. Even in non-emergency settings, non-breastfed babies under 2 months of age are six times more likely to die.
  • Emergencies can happen anywhere in the world. Emergencies destroy what is ‘normal,’ leaving caregivers struggling to cope and infants vulnerable to disease and death.
  • During emergencies, mothers need active support to continue or re-establish breastfeeding.
  • Emergency preparedness is vital. Supporting breastfeeding in non-emergency settings will strengthen mothers’ capacity to cope in an emergency.

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